Moving to Bracknell: A guide to living and working in Bracknell

Situated right on the commuter belt in the beautiful county of Berkshire, Bracknell is a great location to relocate to, whatever the reason for your move. Bracknell has a wide and varied history, ranging from the site where highwayman Dick Turpin used to have a pint, to an Iron Age hill fort named Caesar’s Camp.

After the Second World War, it was designated a “new town”, bringing on refurbishment of both town centre and residential areas, and further development was recently completed in 2017.

Not only a town of history and character, Bracknell is also a great place for families to relocate since there are fantastic house prices and good schools in the local area, as well as a perfect location for commuters heading up to London.

Property Sale and Rental Prices

Buying a house in Bracknell

On average, properties sold for £414k in Bracknell over the last year (March 2023 to February 2024). This is 5% lower than the previous year but 2% higher than 2021’s average peak of £405k.

Of all the property sales in Bracknell, the majority were terraced properties which sold for an average of £372k. Flats were more affordable at an average selling price of £227k while detached properties reached £664k, on average.

Renting a house in Bracknell

As of March 2024, there are 215 properties for rent in Bracknell; there are slightly more flats than houses but certainly plenty of each. On average, a flat to rent in Bracknell is £1,600 while a house will cost £3,098 per month. 2-, 1- and 3-bedroomed properties are the most prevalent properties in Bracknell.

For local agents, try Sears Property, Chancellors, or Duncan Yeardley.

Moving to Bracknell

Moving home can be a stressful experience, especially if you’re relocating to a completely new area or a different part of the UK. That’s why we want to help you make that journey a little bit easier.

If your moving dates don’t quite match up when moving to Bracknell, or furniture is being delivered before you have space for it, it might be a good idea to consider self-storage. Titan Storage offer a wide range of storage units with flexible rental periods and 24/7 access, in order to help you move with ease.

Whether you’re deciding to rent your own van to make the move, or would prefer to hire someone else to do the job for you, there are many different companies located in and around Bracknell who would be happy to lend a hand.

If you’re looking to hire your own van to conduct your move, and live in the local area, then BTC Vehicle Rentals would be a great choice. Based in Wokingham, BTC offer a wide range of vans to accommodate your things and are only a stones-throw away from Bracknell. Bracknell Transport Services is also a good option; based in Bracknell, this service will provide you with a van to use and then return right in the heart of the town.

Another option would be to hire a man in a van – these services are available across the country and can offer a number of different van sizes for all your possessions. If you need a bigger van or even a lorry to take your furniture to a new home, a removal company such as Bishops Move, would be most appropriate.

Find out more about which van size would be best for you in our blog.

With road networks, train lines and quality public transport, it’s easy to get around Bracknell and out of town to nearby cities and airports.

Transport in Bracknell

Bracknell by car

Bracknell boasts a well-maintained road network, including the M4 motorway which is very close to the town; this offers a direct route to London and other major cities in the south-east. Also, the network of A roads provides easy connections to other towns including Reading and Guildford.

Bracknell by bus

For those living in Bracknell who prefer public transport, they’ll benefit from the town’s diverse bus network operated by several companies, including Thames Valley Buses, Reading Buses and White Bus. These buses provide regular services within Bracknell itself and to surrounding towns like Wokingham, Reading, Ascot and Maidenhead.

Bracknell by train

Bracknell Railway Station provides regular train services to London Waterloo with journey times typically under an hour, making Bracknell a popular residence for commuters into London. The train station also offers services to Reading which acts as a hub for connections to other major cities across the UK.

Additional ways to explore Bracknell

Discover Bracknell’s hidden gems and scenic routes on foot or by bike. Explore shopping centres or venture further afield to discover the picturesque Swinley Park. Dedicated cycle paths ensure safe and enjoyable journeys throughout Bracknell and into the surrounding areas.

In town, you can take advantage of the free shuttle bus service offered by The Lexicon shopping centre. This convenient service operates within a designated loop, connecting various points within the complex and surrounding car parks.

Transport to London

For trips to London, you can catch a train directly to London Waterloo from Bracknell Railway Station in less than an hour. Alternatively, frequent buses connect Bracknell to various locations in London.

Transport to Airports

The closest airport to Bracknell is London Heathrow Airport, approximately 20 miles away. Regular trains and buses connect Bracknell to Heathrow, and to drive it’s less than half an hour. Two other airports are also about an hour’s drive from Bracknell: Southampton Airport and London Gatwick Airport.

What does Bracknell offer?

There are many ways to stay occupied in Bracknell, a town that offers a number of different services and entertainment facilities for all the family.

Over the past few years, the town centre has been under development and, at the end of 2017, it was finally completed! With more than 100 fashion and beauty brands, including Fenwick, a large selection of eateries, and ice skating, bowling and a cinema close nearby, the Lexicon is definitely fantastic asset to Bracknell’s town centre. There’s things to do for all the family and it also offers events throughout the year, so keep an eye on its website.

As well as the Lexicon, another place to entertain the whole family is the South Hill Park Arts Centre. With a wide variety of performances, exhibitions, festivals and workshops, you’ll never run out of things to do there!

Finally, Bracknell is also a great place for high performing schools. This includes primary schools like Birch Hill Primary and St Joseph’s Catholic Primary, and also secondary schools, such as Garth Hill College, Bracknell and Wokingham College, and Ranelagh CE.

Shopping in Bracknell

In the heart of Bracknell lies The Lexicon, a modern open-air complex and a one-stop shop for everything you might need, including fashion, homeware, jewellery, toys and technology. It also features a multiplex cinema, a variety of restaurants and cafés, and a gym, making it a great destination for a full day of shopping and leisure. Surrounding The Lexicon is Princess Square and the high street, where you’ll find even more retail favourites and quirky gems.

Bracknell holds a market every Friday and Saturday outside Princess Square, with a delightful mix of stalls selling fresh local produce, flowers, clothing, and household items. For anything you can’t get at the market, Bracknell covers your everyday needs with major supermarkets and independent butchers and grocers. The Peel Centre provides a different shopping experience with a bowling alley and cinema, as well as home and furniture stores.

Many of the neighbourhoods in Bracknell have their own bundles of local shops offering everyday essentials close to home: corner shops, takeaways and pharmacies all make life that much more convenient, ensuring you get what you need without having to venture into the town centre.

Working in Bracknell

Whether you work from home, are based in Bracknell to work, or are commuting out of Bracknell to London, working in and around Bracknell couldn’t be easier.

With train connections from both Bracknell and Martin’s Heron train stations, the journey up to London Waterloo will take no longer than an hour, and the positioning of Bracknell makes it very easy to jump onto the M3 or M4 if you prefer to drive up to London or need to head to Heathrow airport.

If you work in Bracknell, and find yourself in need of a meeting room, why not hire one of the ones on offer at Titan Storage. Our meeting rooms come complete with Wi-Fi and coffee making facilities, allowing you to maintain professional approach in a relaxed atmosphere.

What is the average age in Bracknell?

Bracknell’s average age is now 39, according to the latest census. This is two years younger than the national average.

What is the population size of Bracknell?

The population of Bracknell is just shy of 125,000, according to 2021 census data.